The wide-open steppe of Patagonia or the shifting sand dunes of Namibia? The palm-shaded bays of French Polynesia or the thronging bazaars of Uzbekistan? Whether 2026 is the year you want to complete your wildlife wish list, relax with few others around, or connect with experts who can bring you closer to their culture, we’re spotlighting ten destinations that are set to shine in the coming months, with suggestions for how to explore each.
Pick your destination:
1. Italy
Into the heart of Sardinia
Host of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Italy remains in the travel spotlight — one it rarely steps out of. But we can help steer you away from the crowds to experience its cities and countryside from fresh perspectives. You might take a luxury train journey from Rome to Venice aboard the vintage-inspired La Dolce Vita Orient Express. Or, you could escape to Sardinia, where our specialists have been uncovering more ways for you to absorb the island’s singular culture and landscapes. You might visit a family’s apiary to learn the secrets of beekeeping and sample regional honey, take a 4x4 tour to Bronze Age ruins, or hike forested mountain trails, where eagles soar overhead.
Our recommended trips to Italy
2. Namibia
A safari among desert dunes
Home to red-rock deserts, the world’s highest dunes, and coastlines littered with the rusting relics of beached ships, Namibia is unlike any other safari destination. Here, tiny sand-dwelling creatures — say, cartwheeling spiders or basking chameleons — are just as showy as the Big Five (though you can still spot those, too), and the landscapes also play a starring role. Your money goes further in Namibia than in classic safari hotspots, so it’s easier to weave a luxe stay or two into your trip, like the eagerly anticipated Hoanib Elephant Camp, which opens in 2026. Set amid desert valleys in the sparsely populated northwest, its canvas-roofed rooms made of rammed earth provide a comfortable base from which you can track desert-adapted elephants, giraffes, and lions.
Our recommended trips to Namibia
3. India
Venturing further on a return trip
The gleaming palaces of Rajasthan and sleepy backwaters of Kerala will always draw travelers to India, but there’s much more to discover after you’ve seen the highlights, particularly if you’re willing to travel more intrepidly to get closer to local life. Recently, we’ve been seeking out new experiences in two under-the-radar regions: Ladakh and Gujarat. In the remote mountains of Ladakh, you might find yourself spotting Himalayan brown bears or stargazing in the country’s first Dark Sky Reserve. Or opt for Gujarat, on the western coast, where you can shadow a block-printing artisan, spot Asiatic wild asses on safari, or feast on a home-cooked banquet at a lakeside guesthouse run by a Gujarati family.
Our recommended trips to India
4. French Polynesia
A slice of coast to call your own
Velvety-looking peaks descend into white-sand beaches and overwater bungalows perch above crystalline waters on the islands of French Polynesia. Hotels are few and far between here, giving you ample space to unwind in peace. But this exclusivity means early planning is essential — especially for 2026, when a handful of resorts are closing for renovation. As for where to stay in the coming months, we love the newly opened Apatoa Beach & Garden Village Hotel on Raiatea, which has just a smattering of glamping-style villas nestled in a coconut grove. If you’d prefer to island-hop, Aranui Cruises takes you to some of the more far-flung islands in luxury, while Air Tahiti is introducing a Business Class-only flight between Bora Bora and Tahiti.
Our recommended trips to French Polynesia
View all French Polynesia tours
5. Egypt
The ancient world by water — or exploring somewhere new
After years of anticipation, the Grand Egyptian Museum is finally open to the public, along with all the treasures it holds. We can arrange for you to decode its relics with a private guide, before you explore the tombs and temples they came from. For a luxury twist and a nod to Egypt’s maritime heritage, cruise between Aswan and Luxor aboard a traditional dahabiya sailing boat. Alternatively, if this isn’t your first visit, we recommend venturing further afield to Siwa (via Alexandria). In this out-of-the-way desert oasis, you can climb to a hillside Greco-Roman necropolis, wander around a labyrinthine 13th-century clay fortress, and bathe in mineral-rich spring waters.
Our recommended trips to Egypt
6. Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan
A journey along the Silk Road
From geometrically tiled mosques and madrasas to peaceful summer pastures framed by mountains, combining Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan unveils the juxtaposing facets of Silk Road history and culture. Having newly explored the countries for ourselves, we’ve recently started creating trips to the region after a long hiatus. In Kyrgyzstan, you could stay in a lakeside yurt camp, falling into the rhythm of daily life with the local nomads. Meanwhile, you might gaze up at Uzbekistan’s mosaicked motifs with a guide who knows the meaning behind each element of traditional Islamic architecture.
Our recommended trips to Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan
View all Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan tours
7. South Africa
Wine, wildlife & waterfalls
What sets South Africa apart from many other countries in the region is its versatility. Your trip here doesn’t have to revolve around safari — you can enjoy city sights, coastal drives, wine tasting, and whale spotting instead. In the Western Cape alone, you might choose to hike up Table Mountain, take a private tour of the Winelands with a local expert, and spy penguins and whales off the coast. Plus, the thundering Victoria Falls are an easy flight away.
Our recommended trips to South Africa
8. Australia
A quieter (and cooler) time to visit
Reef-laced seas, sprawling red deserts, ultra-modern cities, and islands known for species so quintessentially Australian they’re sometimes named after them… Australia’s vastness and varied climate lend themselves to year-round travel. In 2026, you could make the most of the winter months (June to August), when visitor numbers are typically lower, especially in the cooler south. You have the option to go wine tasting in Tasmania (known for its cool-climate varietals), spot migrating whales off the coast of Kangaroo Island, or hike past sheer gorges in the seasonally green Outback of the Flinders Ranges.
A side note: if you’re willing to wait a couple of years before you venture to Australia, consider July 2028, when parts of the country will be plunged into darkness during the total solar eclipse. The catch is, you need to start planning very early to get your pick of the best stays.
Our recommended trips to Australia
9. Patagonia
Conservation on the coast
Patagonia is known for its glaciers and mountains, but the wilds of Península Valdés take the form of lagoons, sand dunes, and grasslands. A marine conservation zone on Argentina’s southern Atlantic coast, this sparsely populated region provides refuge for southern right whales, elephant seals, orcas, and penguins. South America specialist Luc recently stayed at Estancia Rincón Chico, a converted farmhouse surrounded by the starkly vegetated Patagonian steppe. He says: “During hikes and wildlife walks, I didn’t see anyone except for the ranch’s team and fellow guests. The area feels practically undiscovered, so the time to go is now.” If you’d like to see Patagonia’s glacial and mountainous scenery too, the region pairs well with El Calafate and El Chaltén.
Our recommended trips to Patagonia
10. Spain
Celebrating a storied architect
Gaudí’s works paint the streets of Barcelona in a swirling wash of color and whimsy, and 2026 marks 100 years since the visionary designer’s death. Catalonia will see a spray of celebrations in the first half of the year, including citywide exhibitions dedicated to his almost-complete pièce de resistance, the Sagrada Família. We can pair you with a private guide, who’ll peel back the layers of his architecture as you visit Casa Milà, Park Güell, and the flamboyant cathedral itself. Later in the year, the eclipse will pass over northern Spain, including parts of the Basque Country, but room options are already very limited. If you don’t get a spot, go in autumn for the grape harvest in La Rioja instead.